As they did last year, trustees will reserve the right in the bid to pick and choose which streets are done this summer. “We may or may not want to do them all once we get the bids,” Trustee President Joe Hart explained.

In other business, trustees aren’t banking on another warm winter. Last year, they committed to buy 200 tons of road salt via the Ohio Department of Transportation statewide contract. The contract sets a minimum purchase of at least 80 percent of the commitment and a maximum of 120 percent. The township purchased the 160 ton minimum which left their storage bin full with approximately 200 tons on hand. Trustees cut this year’s commitment to 150 tons for a purchase range of 120- 180 tons.

Trustees also unanimously agreed to purchase a Woods BW126RW batwing mower to replace a similar mower that is just “worn out.” Muskingum Tractor and Equipment of Zanesville submitted the lowest of three bids at $10,800. Trustee Dave Miller suggested tabling a discussion on a new truck until the next meeting. “We’ll bring it all to the table at the next meeting,” he said. Miller also backed off an earlier plan to stock some types of limestone. With stones prices up substantially due to demand from shale gas drillers, he believes it makes more sense to purchase stone on an as needed basis.

Miller also suggested that trustees review their cemetery rules. “I think they need some upgrading,” he said. Trustees will review the current regulations on their own and then discuss possible revisions or additions at future meetings.

At the April 16 trustees meeting, zoning inspector Joe Walker explained his decision to resign. “It’s time to give it up,” he said. “I enjoy the work, but I don’t have much stamina anymore.” Walker had open heart surgery late last year. “I’m in no big hurry (to leave),” he told trustees.

At their April 16 meeting, trustees addressed some vacancies and absences on the Board of Zoning Appeals. An Avondale resident had complained at trustees’April 2 meeting that his variance request had been denied even though two of the three members present supported it. “They (BZA members) told me I could wait and hope more of their members would show up (at the next meeting),” Bob Quayle told trustees. “How is that fair to me?”

“You have to have a full board to make it fair to citizens,” he added.

“I believe you should get a second hearing and the $225 (fee) should be waived,” Miller told Quayle. “I think he is getting a raw deal.”

The board’s rules require a majority of its five members or three “yes” votes to approve a variance. With one vacancy, a member in the hospital and another on an extended vacation, only two members could attend a variance hearing set for April 19, which would cancel the meeting for lack of a quorum.

Hart asked two township residents - Robert Hansberger (Hupp Road) and Roy Hurt (Edgewater Beach area) - to serve as BLZ alternates through the end of the year. He said both were available for the April 19 hearing. Trustees unanimously approved the appointments.

In his report Monday night, Fire Company Chief Mike Wilson said the company made 56 runs in April - 52 EMS and four fire runs. The year-to-date total is 282 runs. On April 16, trustees unanimously approved Wilson’s recommendation to add Trent Colley and Kip Payne to the company roster. Colley has both an EMT and fire card and is a former Buckeye Lake Fire Department volunteer. Payne is a college student who will have to be trained.

Trustees’ next regular meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 21, at the Licking Township Fire Company Station 3 on Jacksontown Road (Ohio 13).